by Liz Stevens, writer, Plastics Business 3D printing has come a long way from its origins in the 1980s when researchers, inventors and entrepreneurs in labs and garages imagined ground-breaking methods and built the first machines. At first a novelty and then embraced primarily by hobbyists, additive manufacturing has matured and become a workhorse in a growing variety of … [Read more...] about What’s New and What’s Possible in Additive Manufacturing for Plastics, Metal and More
Supply Chain
China’s Threat to Itself and the World
by Chris Kuehl, managing director, Armada Corporate Intelligence The data that has come pouring from China of late points to a real economic crisis, the worst the nation has experienced in decades. The slump in the second quarter took the economy to a contraction of 2.6% from the first quarter and the annual growth rate was a pathetic 0.4%. This affects the entire global … [Read more...] about China’s Threat to Itself and the World
Techniques for a Successful Mold-Building Partnership
by Gene Mussel, director, Harbour Results, Inc. Today, plastic processors have many challenges to manage to maintain a successful business – from raw material price increases to labor shortages – and, several of these issues are out of leadership’s control. However, one opportunity to drive efficiency and profitability improvement – and can be controlled – is the relationship … [Read more...] about Techniques for a Successful Mold-Building Partnership
Processors Increase Wages Amid Historically High US Inflation Rate
by Marcella Kates, marketing director, MAPP Manufacturers have faced historically challenging issues in the past three years, including a chaotic and unpredictable supply chain network, increasing resin prices and lead times, a national labor shortage, an unpredictable international pandemic that disrupts the global economy and the highest inflation rate since November 1981 … [Read more...] about Processors Increase Wages Amid Historically High US Inflation Rate
m-hub Connects the Plastics Industry
by Andrea Tellan, co-founder, m-hub Launched during K 2019 in Düsseldorf, m-hub was created as an easy-to-use business tool to break barriers within the plastic supply chain and help plastic professionals take a step toward a digital future. It is a one-stop search for potential suppliers, customers and partners in the plastics industry. m-hub started as a mobile app to help … [Read more...] about m-hub Connects the Plastics Industry